A former Forsyth County commissioner is interested in leading
the Forsyth County Republican Party.

Patrick Bell, who served as District 4 Commissioner from
2009 to 2012, announced on Monday his intention to run for chair of the Forsyth
County GOP. Current Forsyth County Republican Party Chairman Justin Hawkins
announced last week he would be stepping down as of March 23.

“I’ve been involved with the community for over 11 years
now,” Bell said. “I’ve taken some time recently to focus on my businesses, but
with Justin moving on to bigger and better things, I just felt that the
opportunity was there for me to step back in and give some guidance and
assistance and be part of a team continuing to carry the Forsyth County GOP
forward.”

Bell, a small business owner and
licensed real estate agent, said this being an election year meant leadership
in the party was crucial.

“From the election standpoint, of course, it is critically important that we protect the conservative
values that we have here in this county,” he said. “With the governor’s race
and the congressional race, someone has to carry that momentum that Justin
started.”

It is not immediately clear when the next chair will be
selected by members of the party.

If selected, Bell said he wants to use his experience in
office and relationships he’s made both in and out of Forsyth to benefit the
party.

“It taught me a lot of things when I was on the board,” he
said. “The relationships I made with people will be valuable being chairman of
the GOP. I’ve got relationships with people in Washington. I’ve got
relationships with people at the [state] Capitol and certainly relationships
with people back home.”

He said Hawkins had built and maintained relationships for the party during his term, which Bell said
he plans to continue.

“The chairman doesn’t, as some people think, call the shots
but is really the one that kind of corrals everybody together to move towards
the common goal,” Bell said. “Those relationships I have will, I think, help us
with fundraising, will help us make sure
that Forsyth is important at the state GOP level and, of course, at the
national GOP level and when we’re moving issues forward.”

Bell has lived in the county for 20 years and has two grown
children and four grandchildren. He has served three terms as chairman of the
church council at Bethelview United Methodist Church.